2 Poems

Begin by saying

I will write a contract

and in so writing

I will leave nothing out.

In cases where (in failing

to write this contract)

this contract non-encloses

all non-contract writing:

I will admonish

my non-enclosed writing

and pay penalties no less than

nor even exceeding

all future writing

leaving nothing out.

All non-enclosed writing

is seen as exhibiting

one or more basic deficiencies

reprinted as follows:

Non-enclosed writing

- lacks clear penalty;

- is non-compliant with standards;

- misunderstands tort.

As this is a contract

it is non-enclosed writing

and its compliance with standards

is not properly secured;

however stipulating

only non-contract writing

need be enclosed by this contract

mitigates tort.

In cases where you would like to press

allegations of improper writing

against this signed contract

you can contact my publisher

who will forward all claims.

My legal team

if I even might merit

representation

will follow received

contacts and summons

to the very letter

and remit penalties.

I apologise for the failure

of this letdown contract;

that remark was unbecoming

and I strike it, thence.

I am getting grubby

little hands on your contract

and breathing on its windows

leaving smeary vapour sheens.

Put me in your envelope

and give me the postmark

and we will see just what the office

might make of me.

I am no contract

I am mammalian

which means ears and mammaries

and there are other stipulations

I fail to meet those

so I’m in the envelope

to provide your receipts

Meet me at the window

sift me from the pile

check my seal is sticky

and assess your receipts

I am a bad mammal

writing like a mammal

Deliver it from me

i keep mixing up

pre- , prep- , prop- positions!

before i start to posit

i hunker down and whisper

‘This is where my house is

and Here I keep my Concepts.’

‘Here I Keep My Concepts

in This-Organized Hall Closet.’

that ’s how i start my sentence! now

this is a list of words that are not the feeling i was looking. for,

anomie;

ennomie;

ennomui;

ennoui;

ennui;

enn;

enng;

anng;

annges;

anngest;

angest;

angst;

are in my-book not-even words!

this is where in enters

a simple demonstration:

when i make a gesture (this being a gesture)

i’ve never gestured At

nor Towards nor even To

cuz i’ve only ever gestured!

now do you get it